Students log on to probe virtual psyche

Why do some people opt for a sex change in virtual worlds? Is an obsession with Facebook a sign that you're unusually sociable - or unusually lonely?

Such questions never troubled Sigmund Freud. But the internet, and its impact on our everyday lives, is about to be put on the couch with the launch of Britain's first Masters degree in 'cyberpsychology'.

The course, starting at Nottingham Trent University in the new academic year, will cover topics ranging from online gambling and gaming to relationships and sexuality, along with cyber-crime, education and health issues, social networking and artificial intelligence.

It follows a surge of interest in how websites such as Friends Reunited, MySpace and Facebook have altered the ways in which people interact. Technology has been credited with transforming the lives of interest groups and lonely hearts, but accused of presenting opportunities for paedophilia and sexual harassment.

Dr Monica Whitty, who will lead the £4,585 course, said: 'Cyberspace is not just the internet but mobile phones, virtual reality and other technologies. The fact that it's part of our everyday life means we really need to understand the psychological issues.'

The introduction of the MSc was welcomed by the British Psychological Society. Douglas Brown, a spokesman, said: 'It's a growing area.'